Alex –

How we know her – We met Alex through a mutual acquaintance (Renata Albini) very early on in our time here. She became our tour guide and as a result of seeing each other every week, she became our friend as well.

What she does – She’s the best tour guide we have ever had in any country. Alex has a PHD in Art History. She works at the Palazzo Vecchio and gives private tours.

Our Friendship – We have had so many wonderful times with Alex. When you meet for three to four hours every week with someone you get to know them quite well. Our friendship has extended past that of her being our “Key” to the city of Florence. We have had many lunches and dinners together, including going to “Sagra” on Mother’s Day (Next months blog will cover this experience). Anna summarizes it best by saying “I wish I could just take her home with me.”

Alex is also recently engaged to her long time boyfriend Matteo, who is a delightful guy. In particular Anna and I love how kind both Alex and Matteo are to Trey and Olivia when we get together with them. They take such interest in the two of them and what they are in to. On a side note, Alex and Matteo have bee dating for 11 years! That’s amazing considering that they are only 26 and 27 respectively!

Interesting Quip – No one on the planet likes sweets more than Alex. She also happens to be a harsh critique of desert as well. When she eats a desert that she feels is below par, her response is to simply stab her fork in it (Tines down) and push it aside. Her objective is to send a message to the chef that she has killed the desert because it didn’t deserve to live!